HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Biologists say the sea turtle season in South Carolina has gotten an early start and a visit from a type of turtle seen less than once a decade.
The Department of Natural Resources said the first loggerhead turtle nest of the season was found Friday by volunteers on Kiawah Island.
[2017 COVERAGE: More disoriented sea turtles this year in South Carolina]
Agency biologist Michelle Pate says that is the earliest she can remember a turtle sighting. Sea turtle season starts May 1. But Pate says the warm winter has turtles active sooner than normal.
Also on Friday, the wildlife agency says an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found nesting on Hilton Head Island. That species of turtle has been found on a South Carolina beach just four times since the 1970s.
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Associated Press
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